Section 17-5-8.1 Electronic Reporting; Electronic Searchable Database; Rules.

(a) Commencing with the 2014 election cycle, all statements, reports of contributions, and expenditures, and other filings required to be filed pursuant to this chapter, shall be submitted electronically over the Internet by a computer file containing the report information in a format and medium to be prescribed by the Secretary of State. (b) Commencing with the 2014 election cycle, the Secretary of State shall implement and maintain an electronic database accessible by the public through the Secretary of State’s website which provides the capability of search and retrieval of all statements, reports, and other filings required to be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to this chapter. The searchable database shall provide the ability to search by a recipient’s name, a contributor’s name, a contributor’s or recipient’s Zip Code, and dates of contributions. (c) Unless otherwise included in a report made pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 17-5-8, the principal campaign committee or political action committee shall file a report disclosing the receipt of any single contribution of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or more. These reports shall disclose the same information required by Section 17-5-8, and shall be filed within two business days of receipt of the contribution. Beginning with the 2014 election cycle these reports shall be filed electronically. (d) Beginning with the 2012 election cycle, a principal campaign committee or political action committee shall close its books in order to complete its reports two days prior to the specified reporting dates. (e) The Secretary of State may promulgate administrative rules pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act as are necessary to implement and administer this section and Section 17-5-8.